“The Alpinestars Toucan boots are premium all-rounders. If you’re after a do-it-all adventure boot that ticks every box and sits at the top of the list for comfort and safety, go with the Alpinestars Toucan boots.”
By Andy Davidson
Mad or Nomad - RTW motorcycle travellers
Snapshot
- Price: £379.99
- Time tested: 10 years
- Miles tested: 100,000
- Testing conditions: North and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, Middle East
- Functionality: 5/5
- Durability: 5/5
- Value for money: 5/5
- Total score: 5/5
- Where to buy UK: sportsbikeshop.co.uk
- Where to buy US: revzilla.com
- Where to buy EU: fc-moto.de
Alpinestars Toucan Boots Review
Why use the Alpinestars Toucan boots?
I’ve been using Alpinestars Toucan boots for the past 10-years and wouldn’t use anything else.
My boots have had a very hard life. They were my boot of choice when working as a full-time motorcycle journalist for Motor Cycle News (MCN) in the UK and they’d accompany me on any work job from testing bikes in the Indian Himalayas to Death Valley, USA. They’ve been everywhere and seen everything and have proved themselves to be the best boots I’ve ever owned.
But when we returned from New Zealand at the halfway point of our round the world trip around June 2023, Alissa decided to opt for a new pair of adventure bike boots and went for the Alpinestars Corozals, so I decided it was time to update mine too and went for… another pair of Alpinestars Toucans.
Alpinestars Toucan boots features
The Toucans are Alpinestars’ flagship adventure bike boot. They’re bigger, better, badder and tougher than the more budget Corozals (not knocking the Corozals and Alissa had her own reasons for going with them), but I, on occasion, ride a little harder off-road and wanted the extra protection the Toucans afford. You can read more about the differences in Alissa’s review.
The list of features goes on and on. But what’s most important is that the Toucans are inspired from Alpinestars motocross footwear. They’re fully CE-certified, have lateral ankle protection, full leather, reinforced polymer, advanced TPU panelling all over including over the heel and toe box with protectors, shin guards, flex zones in the heel and suede panelling for grip. The list of just how protective these boots are continues…
What’s good about the Alpinestars Toucan boots?
The reason I love these boots so much is because they’re exceptionally comfortable, well-made and tough (plus they look really cool, which is never a bad thing).
I can wear these boots all day and still find them comfortable. The Toucans are probably the most comfortable adventure boot I’ve ever tested. They are big, but they’re not clunky or cumbersome and nothing like wearing a pair of motocross boots. The toe box is wide and so is the entire inner compartment, so your feet have room to breath and that makes changing gears a doddle too.
There’s a lot of flex when walking despite being able to stay rigid and protective. The sole also provides plenty of protection for the foot when standing on the pegs all day and also has an integrated steel shank to improve comfort even further. And the suede inner helps grip onto the bike when picking up speed. They’re fastened with two quick release buckles and a large Velcro tab making them easy to get in and out of too.
Importantly, they’re also lined in Gore-Tex and have proved to be 100% waterproof over the years from wading through rivers to riding through torrential storms my feet have never got wet. We’ve recently just ridden through highs of 46C, and while of course my feet were boiling hot, they weren’t as bad as I thought they’d be either.
They look simple enough from the outside, but they’re bursting with features and components all working together to make these simultaneously exceptionally comfortable and protective.
Alpinestars Toucan boots review round-up
Overall, the Alpinestars Toucan boots are premium all-rounders. If you’re after a do-it-all adventure boot that ticks every box and sits at the top of the list for comfort and safety, go with Alpinestars Toucans.
I’ve used these boots for over 10 years and they’re my number one pair of adventure bike boots.
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Are you considering buying the Alpinestars Toucan boots? Do you have any questions, tips or suggestions? Let us know in the comments below.
Thank you so much for your well informed reviews and information.
Question, if I may? For South Africa conditions is there a definitive best between Alpinestars and Sidi Adventure boots? Thank you.
Ride Safe and Far.
Hi Gerald, thanks for your comment!
Both have their pros. And in so far as specifically for South Africa, it’s difficult to say because it depends more on the type of terrain you ride, how hard you ride and what you use them for.
For example, the Alpinestars Toucan boots are heavier duty – they lean slightly more towards a MX boot than the Sidis. This is a plus for me personally as I use them as a proper off-road boot.
The Sidis are still well suited for adventure riding, but aren’t as stiff, which makes them better for walking in.
So, if you ride hard off-road and want maximum protection, then the Toucans, if not and you’ll be walking more and occasional light use, then Sidis.
But personally, I think its way more important to try both and see what’s comfortable – for me, Alpinestars wins because it has a wider profile, so that’s comfier for me.
Try them both on for size and see what you think.
Hope this helps,
Andy